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This is what I did for my mom who had Alzheimer's. I contacted the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and got a form off the internet to fill out for the DMV. They then contacted my mom saying they were randomly checking drivers and she had to come in to be tested. If she didn't come in her license would automatically be suspended. She felt she couldn't pass the drivers written or driving test so she didn't want to go in. This takes it from your shoulders and puts it directly between the DMV and your parent. It's all done confidentially. May I suggest if you are the caregiver, get involved in a group for caregivers, they have so much advice and suggestions in how to deal with dementia patients. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

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10 Replies |Report This| Share this:Taking Away Car KeysThis is what I did for my mom who had Alzheimer's. I contacted the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and got a form off the internet to fill out for the DMV. They then contacted my mom saying they were randomly checking drivers and she had to come in to be tested. If she didn't come in her license would automatically be suspended. She felt she couldn't pass the drivers written or driving test so she didn't want to go in. This takes it from your shoulders and puts it directly between the DMV and your parent. It's all done confidentially. May I suggest if you are the caregiver, get involved in a group for caregivers, they have so much advice and suggestions in how to deal with dementia patients. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

That's a great tip and thanks for sharing. Everyone should check with their state or country's department of motor vehicles to find out what the procedure is when you have a concern about a loved one driving.

That's a great tip and thanks for sharing. Everyone should check with their state or country's department of motor vehicles to find out what the procedure is when you have a concern about a loved one driving.

You can contact your local Alzheimer's or Senior's groups -- they should be in the phone book. Or a lot of towns have a 211 information service, where you dial 211 and tell them what you're trying to find, and they can let you know which groups or organizations can help you.

You could also go to www.alz.org and they have a list of local chapters of the Alzheimer's Organization.

Another option is probably your newspaper. Once a week, our local paper lists all of the support organizations available in town.

Good luck.

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Report This| Share this:Taking Away Car KeysYou can contact your local Alzheimer's or Senior's groups -- they should be in the phone book. Or a lot of towns have a 211 information service, where you dial 211 and tell them what you're trying to find, and they can let you know which groups or organizations can help you.

You could also go to www.alz.org and they have a list of local chapters of the Alzheimer's Organization.

Another option is probably your newspaper. Once a week, our local paper lists all of the support organizations available in town.

Thank you very much for posting this. My dad was driving his car until his injury on 1/7/11. My aunt and uncle who live close to him were telling me his driving was becoming very scary. Right now he is in a nursing home and will be in an assisted living facility for several months. This is something I will definitely keep in mind if he goes home and still can not safely drive his car.

The Alzheimer's Organization has proved very helpful to me in searching for a place for my dad. We're still in the process and are almost finished, but their website has a great deal of excellent information. Well worth looking into.

Thank you very much for posting this. My dad was driving his car until his injury on 1/7/11. My aunt and uncle who live close to him were telling me his driving was becoming very scary. Right now he is in a nursing home and will be in an assisted living facility for several months. This is something I will definitely keep in mind if he goes home and still can not safely drive his car.

The Alzheimer's Organization has proved very helpful to me in searching for a place for my dad. We're still in the process and are almost finished, but their website has a great deal of excellent information. Well worth looking into.

Sorry to hear about the crash GKen! "Most of the time" is a condition that I'm well aware of. Ya just need to hate this disease! How would you feel if there was a child involved in your latest accident? I'd give up the keys before that happens.

Where we live there is a transportation department ran by the county. They transport me to needed appointments and even the gym for free. Look into it.

You might want to call the 24/7 Helpline set up by the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900.

Later...
My diclaimer: I'm not a professional in this area. Onjly a person with Alzheimer's that can still express myself and want to help others.

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Report This| Share this:Taking Away Car KeysSorry to hear about the crash GKen! "Most of the time" is a condition that I'm well aware of. Ya just need to hate this disease! How would you feel if there was a child involved in your latest accident? I'd give up the keys before that happens.

Where we live there is a transportation department ran by the county. They transport me to needed appointments and even the gym for free. Look into it.

You might want to call the 24/7 Helpline set up by the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900.

Thank you Ttommy for answering. I will find out August 23 if I have Alzheimer's or is it just my dementia getting worse. i can still support other's because it will be in the early stage.

I also have Epilepsy and I have never driven a car. That is no problem for me.

A while back it was on the news that a person with Alzheimer's crashed into an outdoor market place. Some people were seriously hurt. The police arrested him. I never heard what happened to him, but he was probably put in a retirement home.

I believe in taking away the car keys if a person is a danger to himself or others.

I get transit and rides to my doctor's appointments, too. My husband takes me most of the time and sits in with some of my doctor's appointments to make sure that I get things straight with the doctor. I have dementia. I will update everyone August 23.

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Report This| Share this:Taking Away Car KeysThank you Ttommy for answering. I will find out August 23 if I have Alzheimer's or is it just my dementia getting worse. i can still support other's because it will be in the early stage.

I also have Epilepsy and I have never driven a car. That is no problem for me.

A while back it was on the news that a person with Alzheimer's crashed into an outdoor market place. Some people were seriously hurt. The police arrested him. I never heard what happened to him, but he was probably put in a retirement home.

I believe in taking away the car keys if a person is a danger to himself or others.

I get transit and rides to my doctor's appointments, too. My husband takes me most of the time and sits in with some of my doctor's appointments to make sure that I get things straight with the doctor. I have dementia. I will update everyone August 23.

I always appreciate seeing your posts. I'm sorry to hear about the people who were hurt in the marketplace. I agree with you about taking away the keys when the person is a danger to him/herself or others.

I noticed your appointment is coming up in a week. Hopefully, you'll get some answers.

Best wishes,

Byroney

Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments. - Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

I always appreciate seeing your posts. I'm sorry to hear about the people who were hurt in the marketplace. I agree with you about taking away the keys when the person is a danger to him/herself or others.

I noticed your appointment is coming up in a week. Hopefully, you'll get some answers.

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